How to Create a Sidechain Effect in Cubase

A sidechain configuration can be used to trigger an effect that is inserted on one channel with an audio signal from another channel. For instance, you can create a "pumping" effect on a pad by inserting a compressor to the pad track and triggering it with a bass drum from another track.

This article explains how to configure Cubase 5 / 6 to create a sidechain effect with Native Instruments' SOLID DYNAMICS compressor, but it also works for every other NI effect that has a sidechain feature.

Open the Devices menu in Cubase and choose the entry VST Connections.

In the VST Connections window, click the button Add Group.

Open the Configuration menu and click on More…. From the menu that opens, choose Quadro. Click the Add Track button.

Right-click on the group you just created. In the menu that opens, select Add Child Bus to *Group Name*. In the sub menu, choose Stereo.

Repeat step 4 and choose Stereo (Ls Rs). You should now see two sub busses below the group - Stereo and Stereo (Ls Rs).

Go to the channel settings of the group track you just created and load GUITAR RIG 4 / 5 into an insert.